The Senior Bowl is always a prime opportunity for under-the-radar prospects to prove themselves against top competition, thus improving their draft stock. One of the biggest winners of this year’s week down in Mobile was Nevada offensive lineman Austin Corbett.

A stalwart at left tackle for the Wolfpack throughout his career, Corbett recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his impressive predraft performances, his unique plans for life after football, and why you have to be “a little messed up” to play offensive line.

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JM: You really started gaining momentum after a great week at the Senior Bowl. What was that week like for you?

AC: It was one of the most chaotic times in my life, for sure (laughs). You go out there with some expectations of what’s going on, but really, it’s something that’s just so hard to prepare for. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever done in your life. You get out there and you start to size up your competition. You get to see all the other guys competing. We’re all in the same position. You start to build relationships with different coaching staffs and personnel members. At the same time, you’re playing football against some of the best guys in the nation. It’s really an amazing opportunity. I was lucky to be apart of it.

JM: You played left tackle at Nevada, but most have you pegged to play on the interior at the next level. How do you feel about that?

AC: I played all four years at left tackle, but that’s been the talk for whatever reason. These days in the NFL, I might be a little undersized to play at tackle. I’m just looking to do whatever my team needs me to do. There’s so few options and opportunities in this league. It’s rare that people actually get this opportunity. I just have to make the most of whatever’s asked of me.

JM: I thought you had a great combine, as well. How would you summarize the experience?

AC: It was pretty similar to the Senior Bowl (laughs). You get another chance to get around the same guys you were with at the Senior Bowl. It’s another chance to compete with them. It’s a little less chaotic, though, because you’re not trying to learn a playbook. Overall, it’s an amazing experience. You grow up watching the combine. Now that you’re there, you get to see all the behind-the-scenes stuff. It’s really, really awesome. That little kid in me came out. I was constantly smiling. I was just so excited to be there.

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JM: You looked forward to it your entire life.

AC: Absolutely. I grew up in Sparks, Nevada. I think there’s maybe been a couple of other people in my lifetime from there to even get an invite to the combine. To be one of the kids that made it that far, and to have this opportunity, it’s something special to me.

JM: Throughout this entire process, can you single out anything you’ve done that may have helped boost your draft stock?

AC: I think the Senior Bowl helped me the most. That’s just my opinion. For all us small-school guys that get a chance to go to the Senior Bowl, that’s our one chance to compete with the best in the nation. When you get there, it doesn’t matter what school you went to. It’s your chance to show you belong among the best. I was grateful to show them what I’m capable of. I think I really helped myself out. It allowed me to showcase my abilities. It showed that I can play at the next level.

JM: What was the weirdest question a team asked you at the combine?

AC: I didn’t have anything too crazy that’s worth reporting. I did have a tough one though. Someone asked me if my house was on fire and there’s nobody in it, but you have time to get one item, what are you gonna save? That one threw me for a loop. I had no idea (laughs). My first thought was the wife’s wedding ring, but she’s always wearing that. That’s a huge bonus there.

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JM: Did you end up answering?

AC: I’m still stumped now. I’m sitting down looking around my house right now as I chat with you and I still have no idea (laughs). What I ended up saying was all of our keys. I have my parents house key, my wife’s parents house key and all our car keys. That stuff is still replaceable but it’s a little more difficult than every other thing we have in here (laughs).

JM: I can tell you’re still stumped (laughs).

AC: Yeah, I really am (laughs). I’m looking around and I have no idea. What am I supposed to save, the television? I have no idea. That was a tough one.

JM: Have you had a lot of private visits and workouts as of late?

AC: Yeah, I’ve had a solid combination of the two. I’d say I’ve had around 15 of them. I stayed pretty busy the entire month of April. Pretty much every day since my pro day.

JM: You’ve made it clear that you’re interested in becoming an orthopedic surgeon once your playing days are over. Did you find it difficult to balance school with football?

AC: It was different for me, for sure. I took a few more challenging classes than the next guy. Going to school and playing sports is something that every athlete has done. I just have my own way of figuring it out and how to balance my time. That’s just a part of it. You can complain about it all you want, but you still gotta get it done. That’s something that I had to do. I have my own way of getting through the difficult times when maybe I had a lot on my plate. It can definitely be a struggle at times. Both school and football take a lot of commitment and dedication. Football takes a lot out of a person. It asks a lot of you. Everyone just has to find their own way.

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JM: Did any team question your dedication to football because of that outside interest in the medical field?

AC: Yeah. People just wanna make sure that I love football. I let them know that I’m here to play football. They wanted to make sure I’m not just gonna leave them hanging. School’s always gonna be there later on. This is the one chance I have in my life to play football. That’s what I wanna do with my life. School can wait for later. Football is now. There’s no doubt about that.

JM: It’s like you’re not allowed to have other ambitions. It’s ridiculous.

AC: I understand them having to question me. At the end of the day, they’re paying you a lot of money. It’s fair that they wanna make sure their investment isn’t gonna leave them hanging. This is all I have. This is my chance and I’m gonna make the most of it.

JM: Do you feel there’s a scheme you best fit at the next level?

AC: Being at Nevada, I’ve done it all. We ran some inside zone, outside zone and a power scheme. I’ve seen it all and I’m comfortable with everything. I think that helps me out. I can honestly look back and say I’ve done it all. That should definitely help me moving forward. I felt good in all of those schemes.

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

JM: How do you handle the bull rush differently from the speed rush?

AC: For me, I’ve always had an easier time stopping the bull rush. I’ve always had a bigger lower half. I’ve always been naturally strong in my legs. The bull rush has never been an issue for me. Stopping the speed rush is different for every rusher. You have to look at things like what foot is back, his inside or outside foot? That’ll give you a guess on what step he can go on, an inside move or turn it into a bull. That just comes down to the game-plan and familiarizing yourself with the speed rush. You gotta be able to change up your steps. That way, the rusher can’t get an amazing jump. You gotta keep him guessing and keep him on his toes so he’s not able to blow off the edge past you.

JM: After you get drafted this weekend, what are you gonna say to your new team during your first conversation?

AC: First of all, I’m just gonna thank them for the opportunity. I know that I won’t do anything to make them regret this decision. I’m just a kid that loves the game. I genuinely love to play offensive line. You gotta be a little messed up to play offensive line (laughs). It’s such a combative area throughout the game. For me, it’s what I look forward to. Just to be able to break another man’s will over the course of a game. There’s nothing better.